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Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Dog (& Cat) Days of Summer



Join us in celebrating our four-legged friends during the next Bisbee After 5 artwalk! Local artists Jan Searle, Sharon Lee, Amber Spring Wakeman, and Chris Bovee are exhibiting work dedicated to man's (and woman and child's) best friends.

Artist's Opening Reception will take place Saturday, July 14th from 5 to 8 pm. Enjoy treats for canines, felines, and humans too. "Dog tags" will also be given away as Bisbee After 5 "Salutes Our Military." The exhibit will remain open through Saturday, August 4th during regular gallery hours and by appointment.


oil on paper by Jan Searle

I am honored to have Jan Searle return to the gallery with her incredible work in oils and pastels. Jan is well-known in Bisbee for landscapes, cloudscapes, and portraiture. During the Wall Musings event I held in March, she documented people on the wall with quick gesture drawings and oil pastels throughout the day. No doubt, her pet portraiture is just as lovely. Jan Searle is a member of the Central School Project and the Tang Gallery Cooperative. 
acrylic on metal food lid by Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee is a gallery favorite, having also participated in the Wall Musings event and my Paper Anniversary exhibit. I love her primitive/naivete style and the bright, bold colors that she uses. I am also enamored with her use of found objects and mixed media in some of her paintings. In a way, the discarded object has lost its original function, but is repurposed into an object of contemplation. Sharon's work is often seen at The Spirit Gallery.


acrylic by Amber Wakeman
Amber Spring Wakeman's "Spotted in Bisbee" series is the inspiration behind this exhibit. These playful paintings feature area dogs and cats (and the occasional bird) against an Old Bisbee backdrop. The titles are just as playful and witty as the images, and are part of the fun. It's no wonder people have asked for a quirky pet portrait of their own pets. You also need to check out the matting and framing on her work -- she is Bisbee's resident framing expert.

pastel sketch by Chris Bovee
I'm also thrilled to have Chris Bovee's whimsical drawings and mixed-media pieces. Chris's work has been seen at the Subway Gallery, and she participates in a local Sunday "Drink and Draw" gathering of artists. She is a also a gifted musician, having played in several bands. Soft pastels are a relatively new medium for Chris, and I'm please to say that she had a lovely pastel landscape for my Paper Anniversary exhibit.